"It is waiting at the corner of the Rue Baillif."
"Have they taken the precaution of wrapping the wheels and horses' hoofs in rags?"
"Yes."
"Very good. Now let us wait," said the man in the cloak.
"Let us wait," replied the coalheaver. And all was silent.
An hour passed, during which a few rare passers-by crossed the street at intervals, but at length it became almost deserted. The few lighted windows were darkened one after the other, and night, having now nothing to contend with but the two lanterns, one of which was opposite the chapel of St. Clare, and the other at the corner of the Rue Baillif, at length reigned over the domain which it had long claimed. Another hour passed. They heard the watch in the Rue de Valois; behind him, the keeper of the passage came to close the door.
"Good," murmured the man in the cloak; "now we are sure not to be interrupted."
"Provided," replied the coalheaver, "he leaves before day."
"If he were alone, we might fear his remaining, but Madame de Sabran will scarcely keep all three."
"Peste! you are right, captain; and I had not thought of it; however, are all your precautions taken?"——"All."